It’s hard to argue that any team has been devastated by injuries more than the Baltimore Ravens over the last few seasons. If they are able to stay relatively healthy the Ravens should compete for a playoff spot and division title in 2023. Lamar Jackson is the key figure in the offense and the team made it a priority to lock him up giving him a sweet deal during the offseason. Now it’s about keeping him on the field for an entire season after he started 12 games in each of the past two years.
It’s easy to see what makes the Ravens successful, though. Sure Jackson is a huge part, but the team’s rugged defense over the years is a trademark. When the Ravens missed the playoffs in 2021 they ranked 19th in points allowed, their lowest since the 2015 season. The club turned things around last year to rank third in scoring defense, won 10 games to hit that mark for the fourth time in five years, and reached the playoffs.
NFL Regular Season Wins Odds
Baltimore Ravens 2023 Regular Season Win Total Odds
Ravens Over 9.5 Wins -174
Ravens Under 9.5 Wins +156
On average the Ravens have won nearly 11 games in four seasons since Jackson became the permanent starter. It wasn’t a surprise to see the team extend his contract, though the situation was drawn out. Jackson is the driving force behind the offense rushing for over 1,000 yards two times with the Ravens boasting one of the most powerful ground games in the NFL. But we’re seeing the club move away from that with the addition of some big time receivers to aid Jackson in the passing game.
There was an obvious emphasis during the offseason, and that was to upgrade the receiving corps to make the Ravens more balanced. They ranked 16th in total offense in 2022 averaging nearly 340 yards, however a bulk of that came on the ground with 160 yards per game. The additions of Odell Beckham Jr. and Nelson Agholor along with drafting BC’s Zay Flowers show an obvious commitment to improve the passing game that averaged only 178.8 yards last season. Jackson will continue to run the football because that’s what he does and he’s very good at it. But the hope is that he can play more games with less of a beating.
Defense has been a staple of Jim Harbaugh’s club over the years and a return to greatness in 2022 got the club back in the playoffs. Baltimore had the third-best run defense allowing just 92 yards per game and was ninth overall. The Ravens posted the fifth-most sacks and tied for the eighth-most takeaways. The group was strengthened through the draft and if things go according to plan the unit won’t need to be as good with an offense that could potentially put up a lot of points. Still, the group has several main cogs back meaning it’s likely a top 10 group.
2023 Baltimore Ravens Schedule
Week 1: vs. Houston Texans, Sunday, September 10, 1 p.m. ET
Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, September 17, 1 p.m. ET
Week 3: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, September 24, 1 p.m. ET
Week 4: at Cleveland Browns, Sunday, October 1, 1 p.m. ET
Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, October 8, 1 p.m. ET
Week 6: at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, October 15, 9:30 a.m. ET (London)
Week 7: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, October 22, 1 p.m. ET
Week 8: at Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, October 29, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 9: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, November 5, 1 p.m. ET
Week 10: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, November 12, 1 p.m. ET
Week 11: vs. Cincinnati, Bengals, Thursday, November 16, 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 12: at Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, November 26, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
Week 13: BYE WEEK
Week 14: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, December 10, 1 p.m. ET
Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, December 17, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
Week 16: at San Francisco 49ers, Monday, December 25, 8:15 p.m. ET (ABC)
Week 17: vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday, December 31, 1 p.m. ET
Week 18: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, January 7 (TBA)
The AFC North should be a difficult test with the Browns expected to be better now that Deshaun Watson is around from the start. The Steelers are always a tough out and the Bengals’ championship window is open. The Ravens play five of their six division games in the first 11 weeks. The back half of the schedule is favorable with their final two games and three of five after the Week 13 bye at home. I also think the Ravens catch a break playing the NFC West and AFC South which should help boost their win total.
NFL Odds: Baltimore Ravens OVER 9.5 Wins
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